The Longitudinal Labour Force Survey (LLFS) CURF is designed to be used both longitudinally and cross-sectionally. Every monthly cross-section is made up of responses from each of the 8 overlapping longitudinal panels, and is exactly equivalent to all of the responses of the monthly Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Cross-sectional estimates from the LLFS CURF (using the variable Weight for the current month [WEIGHT]) will closely match the equivalent original estimates published in the main Labour Force, Australia publications (cat. no. 6202.0, 6291.0.55.001 and 6291.0.55.003), as published in November 2012.

Alongside the cross-sectional data, additional data items have been appended from the labour force supplementary survey program. These surveys are run concurrently with the LFS using the same sample of people. They provide additional cross-sectional data for the months they are collected, but since they are run less frequently (usually annually) on entirely different samples, they provide no further longitudinal information.

Data from the following supplementary surveys have been appended to the LLFS CURF

For example, the month of May 2008 highlighted below has a cross-section of Education data items from the Survey of Education and Work. This cross-section of data relates to May 2008 only, but it can be assumed that most people in panels that extend into months before and after May 2008 probably have the same education characteristics as those reported in May 2008.

Considering the highlighted panel starting in May 2008, it is possible that people (who are employees) in this group provided:

Level of highest non-school qualification [LVHNSQCE] in the May SEW (for those aged 15 to 64)

Employment type ('Employees with/without paid leave entitlements')[EMPTYPCE] in the November FOES; and

Age intends to retire [RETAGEC] in the RRI topic of the MPHS in December (for those aged 45 years and over).

As shown below, not all panels intersect with the same supplementary surveys, so some these additional data items are not obtained for all respondents in the LFS.

While it is possible assume that the data provided in a particular supplementary survey can be applied across all months of an intersecting longitudinal LFS panel, care should be taken to consider other related data items to see if anything has changed that could alter that assumption. For example:

If someone reported in May that their Level of highest non-school qualification is 'no non-school qualification,' but they also reported that they were enrolled (see Educational enrolment [EDUENROC]) in University (see Type of educational institution [EDINSTCE]) then it is possible that they completed a new non-school qualification (i.e. 'Bachelor degree') in June the following month if they graduated mid-year. If most of the panel relates to months following June, then the response of 'no non-school qualification' in May is not representative of the respondent for that 8 month period.

If someone provides Weekly earnings in main job in August, and then becomes unemployed (see Labour force status [LFSTATCE]) in September, and then becomes employed again in October and November, then the Employment type provided in November is unlikely to relate to the same job as reported in August.